Healthy Christmas

It is that time of year again when families and friends gather round the table and consume all the food that is available on the table. However this can be quite controversial but studies have proven that over the festive period individuals can consume up to 6000 calories. This can be three times more than the recommended amount for an average adult. Consuming extra calories a day (and not burning it off by exercising) can lead to rapid weight gain.

Sometimes it may be better to plan ahead, and to avoid the excessive weight gain, so that when New Year approaches, we are more than ready to stick to the New Year Resolutions.

Below are a few hints and tips to have a good time over Christmas, without worrying about the possibility of an expanding waistline.

Eat Breakfast

Despite it being Christmas Day, do not become confused that because there is going to be a large meal later on, that means we do not need to eat breakfast.This is completely wrong. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The word breakfast means breaking the fast. Therefore try to have a healthy breakfast, preferably a mixture of fruit, and the nutrient Fibre. Fibre and fruit are a wonderful source for the body, especially in the morning. This could be porridge with a handful of strawberries/ raspberries, poached/scrambled egg with wholegrain toast, or a high fibre cereal, with a mixture of raisins.

Christmas Nibbles

Before the main meal is served, sometimes canapés are available. This could be a mixture of sausages on sticks, pastries, mini bhajis, or even prawn toast. Unfortunately this combined mixture of foods could set us back up to 200 calories, with up to 10grams of fat. Healthier versions can only be up to 100 calories, and no more than 5 grams of fat. So it is worth exploring healthier options. Nuts are packed full of fibre, B vitamins and essential fatty acids (this is not made by the body, it can only be sourced by food) also the good point about nuts is that it gives that feeling of feeling full. Unlike high sugar foods, where they do not give that fuller effect leaving the body feeling tired, and moody, causing the cravings, so the person has the need to have more sugary food.

Drink water

Sometimes our bodies become confused into distinguishing thirst for hunger. Try to drink some fluids in between meals to keep the body in tip top condition. The body is made up of at least 70% water, therefore it is important to keep this at this level constantly.

Christmas

The wait is over, the main meal is served, so:

Try to remove the skin from the turkey,
Cut the potatoes slightly bigger for roasting, this would absorb less oil, in comparison to smaller potatoes, which would absorb more oil.
Serve with plenty of vegetables as they are packed full of vitamins and minerals, also they are less in calories and fat.
If there is room for pudding it is best to have it with low fat custard, rather than double cream.

Being healthy during the Christmas period can save up 3000 calories, so a possible reduction on the scales, and on the waistline.

Both of the above can help you with any nutritional support. Or if you have any queries you can, contact me through the websites above.